A solid second book in this classic epic high fantasy series. No surprises and a fairly standard set-up, leading straight into the next book. It's a rA solid second book in this classic epic high fantasy series. No surprises and a fairly standard set-up, leading straight into the next book. It's a relaxing and pleasant read with familiar characters, and a fast-moving plot. Overall, I found it less entertaining than the first book, but I will continue with the series....more

Read this if you like New Weird; if you enjoy Miéville and the grotesque; if you're a lover of Gothic atmosphere; if yoThis isn't a book for everyone.

Read this if you like New Weird; if you enjoy Miéville and the grotesque; if you're a lover of Gothic atmosphere; if you want to read character studies of bizarre people; if you like your setting to be a crumbling castle; and, most important of all, if you enjoy your prose dense and infused with humour. Seriously, the prose is magnificent.

Don't read this if you prefer non-stop action; if you prefer to skim descriptions (there’d no reading only skimming); and if the Classics do nothing for you....more

Rob J. Hayes impressed me with Drones, and Never Die promised to be a fast-paced fantasy, so I dove straight in.

I was not disappointed.

It's a captivatRob J. Hayes impressed me with Drones, and Never Die promised to be a fast-paced fantasy, so I dove straight in.

I was not disappointed.

It's a captivating story, and Hayes is a gifted storyteller. I couldn't put the book down. I did not want to put the book down. Tight prose and short chapters make for excellent pacing.

Never Die shows that a simple story can turn into a memorable tale in the hands of a skilled author. Not a word is wasted. The characters are fleshed out, interesting, and their dynamic feels real.

With its Asian inspired setting filled with plenty of sword fights, Never Die reminds me of playing a video-game.

Hayes' prose is simple, yet accessible. He paints scenes in a vivid, captivating way. Despite lacking the meticulous descriptions which the fantasy genre usually offers, I was able to visualise everything. At times, I felt like I was watching a movie. Hayes' style is super entertaining, with plenty of surprising twists and turns in the story.

I highly recommend Never Die to everyone who loves their fantasy topped with a ton of action. If any of this sounded interesting, give it a shot, it's well worth a read....more

I seem to like fantasy from decades ago. There's something comforting about it.

Stormwarden is a coming-of-age story, but also epic fantasy a4.5 Stars.

I seem to like fantasy from decades ago. There's something comforting about it.

Stormwarden is a coming-of-age story, but also epic fantasy at its best. There's sorcerers, demons, and aliens. Yes, aliens.

The characters are amazing, and I especially love Wurts' ability to show people as the mixture of good and bad that they are. Most people aren't evil, most people believe in certain truths without seeing the bigger picture. I think it's something that applies to all of us. We believe in certain things, make judgements, look at things in certain ways simply because of what we were taught and what we see. But are we in the right?

Many of Wurts' characters come to conclusions based on evidence they're presented with and from then on obsessively follow their path without realising / understanding they might be wrong after all.

Javert in Les Misérables was such a character, and I hated him for his stubbornness. Wurts, however, showed me how such characters come to be, why they do what they do, and it's become one of my favourite aspects of her books.

Wurts' writing is complex and beautiful and demands a lot of attention from the reader, but I recommend it to any high / epic fantasy fan.

This is one of those fast paced books where the action almost never lets up, and youI received a copy from the author. My review is honest, as usual.

This is one of those fast paced books where the action almost never lets up, and you can't put it down until you're done. Thankfully, it's a short read and a very entertaining one at that.

I was drawn in by the concept of Drones. Emotional Transference is an intriguing idea, and selling emotions...well, personally, I'd have a lot to offer. Anyone up for some anxiety?

Garrick is a well developed character, flawed, selfish, hurt, and despite all of Garrick's flaws, Hayes managed to make me care for him. The world building is minimal, only what's necessary to tell the story.

Told in first person and present tense, the writing style is perfect for the pace of this book. The reader is right there in the moment with Garrick, giving it a thrilling sense of immediacy.

The author could have explored the premise a bit more. The consequences of transferring emotions, the ethical side of it etc. He does so only superficially, but that hasn't actually bothered me because this book is simply about Garrick. And Garrick is in a lot of pain, and now in a lot of trouble.

If you're a fan of sci-fi/cyberpunk and find the premise interesting, this book will not disappoint. At only about two-hundred pages, it's the perfect alternative to an action film....more

Thank you to the authors for providing me with a review copy of this book. Also a big thank you goes to Esme over at the Weatherwaxreport for settingThank you to the authors for providing me with a review copy of this book. Also a big thank you goes to Esme over at the Weatherwaxreport for setting up TBRindr.

What did I think?

While it sounds absolutely great on paper, it never really fully grabbed me.

The first thing I noticed was the stunning cover. I would love to own that pendant, even though I rarely wear jewellery. The second thing I noticed was how impeccably this book is edited. The prose is straightforward and very pleasant to read, and the plot moves along with a good pace.

However, there's a lot of exposition and quite a bit of telling. The opening pages describe Kenji's bedroom and morning routine in detail, and that's not something that will hook me.

While I didn't think the characters were particularly well developed throughout the story, they did start out strong and distinct. I enjoyed the friendship between Kenji and Hyrum a lot. I'd love to see more friendships like this between young adults and teenagers.

The world building is interesting, and I appreciate diversity a lot, but at times it felt like Kenji's Japanese culture was shoved into the reader's face so to speak. Diversity should be a natural aspect of any setting and every story but not something that stands out like a sore thumb, at least in my opinion.

I think this a solid debut, and I am excited to see what else these authors will come up with.

The Pendant Path is a light and easy read that will definitely appeal to younger readers. Recommended to any YA fantasy fan who is intrigued by the synopsis and likes portal fantasy....more

I'm going to be brief, because it's almost impossible to review a fourth book without spoiling the first three.

I felt like the third and the fourth boI'm going to be brief, because it's almost impossible to review a fourth book without spoiling the first three.

I felt like the third and the fourth book should have been one tighter, shorter book. A lot of what happens in Treason's Shore felt less interesting than the plot-lines of the previous books, and despite the length, I felt like some characters got an unsatisfying ending. An abrupt one, so to speak. As if they no longer mattered.

Overall, the series ends on a hopeful tone, and I can understand that some people were unhappy with some of the aspects, but I mostly felt relief. For such an epic story, I was quite happy how Smith tied everything together.

I highly recommend Inda as a series to any fantasy fan who enjoys coming of age themes and watching younger characters grow up. This has a military academy, friendships, backstabbing, pirates, loyalty and wonderful female characters.

Empire of Sand is a South Asian inspired fantasy. It's Tasha Suri's debut. It follows Mehr, who is a a very interestiMore books like this one, please?

Empire of Sand is a South Asian inspired fantasy. It's Tasha Suri's debut. It follows Mehr, who is a a very interesting character. She's living with her stepmother, forbidden from practising the customs of her mother's culture. The plot takes a while to get going, and the author carefully introduces Mehr's culture, but it led to me struggling to emotionally connect with the protagonist.

The world building in this book is outstanding, but, at least in the beginning, I felt like it was more about world building than actual plot. The protagonist is missing agency and change in her journey.

I didn't mind the romance, in fact I quite enjoyed watching it develop.

Empire of Sand is an interesting debut featuring intricate and detailed world building. It takes a while to get going, which I personally found very frustrating, especially since it slows down again in the middle, but towards the end it evolved and I'm interested in reading the sequel.

Dragon School is a serial published on Amazon which consists of twenty books. They're novellas, each about 100 pages long. As is usual with serials, tDragon School is a serial published on Amazon which consists of twenty books. They're novellas, each about 100 pages long. As is usual with serials, the episode just ends. In a series, books might have cliffhangers, but the main arc is complete, and there is a somewhat proper ending. With serials, the somewhat proper ending is missing and instead you immediately want to buy the sequel. In fact, you do not get the whole story unless you buy the sequel.

First Flight is aimed at teenagers, can definitely be classified as Middle Grade, but can also be enjoyed by adults. It offers interesting world-building and a protagonist with a disability. Amel is a great main character, a sixteen year old girl with a crippled leg, who wants to ride a dragon. It's the perfect story to get sucked into if you're into light, easy, short reads....more

I love all of Tchaikovsky’s work that I’ve read so far but was a bit meh about this one. It just never fully gripped me and lacked some of the deeperI love all of Tchaikovsky’s work that I’ve read so far but was a bit meh about this one. It just never fully gripped me and lacked some of the deeper ethical/moral questions I’ve grown to expect from this author.

It’s a short read, novella length, and the plot follows a group of soldiers in a dystopian future. Some clever world building and engaging prose make this a pleasant read, but I didn’t connect with it like I did with Dogs of War.

I highly recommend you read Dogs of War; it’s my favourite Tchaikovsky read. Of course, he’s also the author of the brilliant Children of Time.

Full disclosure: I know the author, and I got a free copy of this novella. However, I've also bought all works available in this series, and my reviewFull disclosure: I know the author, and I got a free copy of this novella. However, I've also bought all works available in this series, and my review is honest.

Six months after the release of Palom, the heart-wrenching second instalment in the World of Linaria series, L.L. McNeil released a novella about Amarah, the main protagonist of the next book, which isn't out yet.

Amarah is the sky-pirate from Moroda, that so many readers fell in love with. She swears, kicks ass, is confident and flies her own airship, Khanna. She's an extremely well developed character, and I was overjoyed to learn that she was the one the novella would be about.

In this short tale she's only fifteen years old and not yet quite so confident. She struggles as a maid looking for an opportunity to make something of her life when she runs into some trouble and consequently meets Traego. Thrown into a ragtag group of pirates and thieves she's presented with the opportunity to make friends for life and escape her own circumstances.

LL McNeil's prose is immensely readable and flows beautifully, making this a short, pleasurable read. Rise of a Sky Pirate offers non-stop action and will be a treat for all fans of the series.

Moroda, the first book, has been entered into Mark Lawrence's SPFBO contest this year and made the semi-finals. It's the start to the series, and I highly recommend it to any fans of epic fantasy who are looking for something hopeful and uplifting with air-ships, dragons and sky-pirates. The series tackles themes that will appeal to both adults and older teenagers making this a perfect introduction to fantasy for fans new to the genre....more

I've been following Aaron Gillies on Twitter for a while. He's extremely funny (at least in my opinion), and the moment he announced he was writing aI've been following Aaron Gillies on Twitter for a while. He's extremely funny (at least in my opinion), and the moment he announced he was writing a book, I knew I had to buy it.

Anxiety is something I'm very familiar with and How to Survive the End of the World offers an honest and funny account of Gillies' experience with panic attacks and anxiety.

Of course, reading this book will not magically cure any anxiety, but it's a start: knowing others feel the same things you feel and maybe you're not so odd after all....more

Retribution Falls is a fun, quick-paced adventure, but I didn't manage to emotionally connect with any of the characters which is why I didn't enjoy mRetribution Falls is a fun, quick-paced adventure, but I didn't manage to emotionally connect with any of the characters which is why I didn't enjoy myself quite as much as I expected I would.

The main problem was my dislike for the protagonist. I do like anti-heroes, but this one I wanted to throttle with my bare hands.

Recommended to anyone who loves steampunk, airships and pirates, and doesn't mind a bunch of truly awful characters....more

This book is simply fantastic. First of all, look at this cover. It's beautiful. Second of all, I rea4.75 stars, perhaps on a re-read 5. It was close.

This book is simply fantastic. First of all, look at this cover. It's beautiful. Second of all, I read this in two days. I couldn't stop. It's innovative, original, and simply a treat to read. I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed The Gutter Prayer. Amazing characters, fabulous world building, and I think every fantasy fan should read this.

Fantasy is rarely unique, but Hanrahan managed to deliver a book that is a breath of fresh air.

Once you start reading, the first thing you'll notice is the use of second-person narration in the prologue. Don't worry. The whole book is not like that, and the second person narration makes perfect sense once you get to the end of the prologue.

Hanrahan's displays his vast imagination by creating developed characters and detailed, intricate world building. All three protagonists have clear, distinct voices. I clicked with all of them almost immediately. I didn't have to warm up to them or the book for that matter. From the very first chapter, I knew I was in for something special.

Even the antagonists are unique. My favourite were the Tallowmen, made of wax, burning. Monsters, inhumanly fast, they will end you with no sign of mercy.

The pacing is great, no dull moment, and the prose is pleasing. In fact, Hanrahan plays with language in a way that I thoroughly enjoyed. A fresh, unique voice.

Girton is such a perfect character. Honestly, if you like flawed yet likeable and just a bit lost and torn but also strong and determined, Girton is yGirton is such a perfect character. Honestly, if you like flawed yet likeable and just a bit lost and torn but also strong and determined, Girton is your man.

It’s five years later and things have changed. Girton lost a lot of his youthful naïveté and gained a lot of anger and fear.

Loyalty is a prominent theme in this book, and I’m a big fan of RJ Barker’s writing.

I recommend this series to all fantasy fans who don’t mind a coming of age story in the first book. I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. The world building, characters and plot are remarkably well done.

Imagine an alien spaceship crashes on Earth in the 60's somewhere in the middle of thI received a copy from Netgalley. My review is, as usual, honest.

Imagine an alien spaceship crashes on Earth in the 60's somewhere in the middle of the United States, and the only survivor is a small child.

A boy.

How many people would be after him? Of course, both the government and the FBI would love to get their hands on this child. Awaiting him: experiments galore. Poor thing.

Instead, a caring couple hide him away, adopt him as if he were their own and give him the possibility to grow up in a protected and nurturing environment. Cory looks nothing like a human child, and sadly, it's impossible to hide him forever.

This story is about family, love, trust, caring for each other, and the good in humanity prevailing.

Cox takes care to build a wonderful home for Cory, expanding on his family life for almost half the book. Despite that, there are no dull moments. The author's prose flows nicely, and the pacing is steady.

However, if you're looking for non-stop action, this isn't the book for you. Cox builds his characters with care, and by the time Cory is in danger you'll have fallen in love with him and his parents.

Our Child of the Stars is uplifting and heart-warming. It's neither groundbreaking nor does it explore any new ideas, but it's a welcome moment of warmth. I highly recommend it to readers who are looking for something comforting in these cold days where the news batter us constantly....more

In her debut, Alicia Wanstall-Burke forgoes creating epic conflicts and sprawling wars fought to defeat a dark lord and instead focuses on two young cIn her debut, Alicia Wanstall-Burke forgoes creating epic conflicts and sprawling wars fought to defeat a dark lord and instead focuses on two young characters, their immediate family, and the social structures they live in. Despite the relatively small scope, Wanstall-Burke creates an exceptional emotional impact through her powerful characters and manages to capture the reader’s imagination from the very first chapter...

Rosewater came with high praise, and when I attended a comic convention in London last November, I just had to buy a copy and get it signed by the autRosewater came with high praise, and when I attended a comic convention in London last November, I just had to buy a copy and get it signed by the author, Tade Thompson. What a lovely, kind man. It was a pleasure to meet him.

I highly recommend Rosewater, though I do not think it will be for everyone. It's speculative science-fiction, plays with flashbacks, is confusing at times, and the narrator is a very peculiar character. Personally, I never felt lost, but I totally understand if others struggle with the different timelines and the constant flipping between years.

Rosewater is a town in Nigeria, built around an alien biodome which opens once a year and heals everybody nearby. Some people have started developing powers, and one of those individuals is Kaaro, our protagonist.

The story is told in the present tense from the point of view of Kaaro. He's an unreliable narrator and a bit of a jerk, but still I found myself rooting for him and wanted him to succeed. He's an incredibly well written character.

The prose is interesting, and I can picture Kaaro talking just like this, but it took me some getting used to it. The world building is intriguing and innovative, and I loved finding out about Kaaro's power and the alien that has surfaced or landed on our world. I've got a ton of question still, as do all the character and therefore can't wait for the sequel.

I am extremely curious to find out where Thompson takes this story in the next few instalments of the series.

Recommend to all sci-fi fans who like their stories placed on earth and don't mind complex timelines and mysterious aliens....more